Skip to footer

'Frankenfish' caught in Va. sets world record

The International Game Fish Association confirmed the record catch, beating a snakehead caught in Japan in 2004 by 2 ounces.

|
Griffin Moores/The Free Lance-Star/AP
Caleb Newton, who lives in Spotsylvania County, Va., poses June 3, 2013 with the 17 pound 6 ounce northern snakehead fish that he caught in Aquia Creek. He has filed paperwork with the International Game Fish Association to have the fish registered as a world-record holding catch.
  • By Associated Press

| SPOTSYLVANIA, Va.

A Virginia man who caught a fish known as "Frankenfish" has set a world record.

Caleb Newton hooked the 17-pound, 6-ounce northern snakehead in a creek in northern Virginia during a fishing tournament June 1. The "Frankenfish" gets its nickname because of its appearance and adaptability. The invasive species native to Asia is able to breathe air and survive in very shallow waters or mud.

The Free Lance-Star reports the International Game Fish Association confirmed therecord catch. It beat a snakehead caught in Japan in 2004 by 2 ounces.

Newton is a 27-year-old plumber in Spotsylvania County. He has said it only took him about a minute to get it into the boat, and the 3-foot long fish barely fit into his cooler.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
What is the Monitor difference? Tackling the tough headlines – with humanity. Listening to sources – with respect. Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. That’s Monitor reporting – news that changes how you see the world.
Subscribe
QR Code to 'Frankenfish' caught in Va. sets world record
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0808/Frankenfish-caught-in-Va.-sets-world-record
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe